Emissions

Climate change because of greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most important topics today and will remain so for years to come. Van Loon Group's products and associated production processes are responsible for the generation of these greenhouse gas emissions. 

We are looking at our own direct and indirect emissions (scope 1 and 2) and emissions in the value chain (scope 3) in line with to the SBTi Inventory.

Van Loon Group is committed to the 2030 CO₂ reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targeting initiative (SBTi). These targets are in line with the Paris climate agreement to limit global warming to no more than 1.5°C. By 2050, we aim to be emissions neutral. Our end products CO₂ footprint of is primarily created “upstream” when growing animal feed and emissions in stables. As chain manager, Van Loon Group works together with livestock farmers and other partners across the entire chain to reduce its CO₂ footprint.

We have involved our customers in setting our emission reduction targets. We involve suppliers, livestock farmers and feed suppliers in meeting these targets. The largest impact is on the environment and communities.

We monitor the progress on our goals by calculating greenhouse gas emissions based on activity as well as average data. Progress is published annually in the CSR Annual Report.

• ESRS E1 – Climate change
• SBTi
• GHG Protocol

• Scope 3 - GHG emissions - services and goods purchased
• Emission reduction measures: efficient feeding of cows and/or pigs

CSO

In 2024, total gas consumption decreased by 3.5%, while electricity consumption increased by 2%. This includes the addition of Maître.

Overall, our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have decreased by 21% (3,100 tonnes CO₂-eq). This reduction is primarily due to a higher share of electricity from renewable sources (70%). Furthermore, fuel consumption within our own operations decreased by almost 17%, largely thanks to ongoing electrification of our vehicle fleet. Emissions resulting from refrigerant leakages have increased by 23%.

Fossil scope 3 emissions have decreased by 2% (1,205 tonnes CO₂-eq). This means we are moving in the right direction, although we are lagging on the linear reduction trajectory towards 2030. Packaging procurement has remained largely unchanged, while upstream emissions from fuel extraction have decreased by 8%.
Additionally, the purchased volume was slightly lower, resulting in reduced upstream transport. We have not yet been able to implement specific measures to make transport more sustainable.

FLAG emissions have decreased by approximately 6% compared to 2023 (137,800 tonnes CO₂-eq). This reduction is primarily attributable to reduced purchases of beef, which has a higher emission factor than pork. The calculation was carried out using unchanged emission factors, meaning that the effects of emission reduction measures in livestock farming have not yet been accounted for.

FLAG emissions have decreased by approximately 6% compared to 2023 (137,800 tonnes CO₂-eq). This reduction is primarily attributable to reduced purchases of beef, which has a higher emission factor than pork. The calculation was carried out using unchanged emission factors, meaning that the effects of emission reduction measures in livestock farming have not yet been accounted for.

In April, during our suppliers' day, we informed our main non-meat suppliers about our sustainability ambitions and objectives, in order to jointly determine how they can contribute.

In 2024, we connected all VOB pig farmers to a new blockchain system that records data on genetics, feed, medication use, transport, and slaughter in a uniform manner. This blockchain is used to reliably calculate the exact CO₂ footprint for each pig farmer with the highest possible degree of automation. This enables us to take more targeted action on manure processing, feed composition, and feed origin, with the aim of further reducing emissions. The CO₂ footprint is calculated and validated by an external party.

At the beginning of 2025, we will use the blockchain to calculate the CO₂ footprint for each pig farmer for the years 2023 and 2024. From 2026 onwards, this will be done annually.

What’s more, we are making progress in phasing out non-natural refrigerants and further electrifying our vehicle fleet. We have initiated a programme of measures to improve energy efficiency and aim to further optimise the footprint of our production sites. We are also exploring which realistic measures we can take to make road transport more sustainable. In 2025, we will also further develop the goals agreed with our suppliers to support our sustainability ambitions.